This is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long while. It is not a look into the darkness of the human soul or a study of human relationships under the prism of modern constructivism. However, it is a beautiful study about a friendship, about two, more or less lonely, human beings with the need to find someone to connect with, someone to be with, someone who understands them on top of 'just' listening to them. And I have to say that Greene has done a surprising job with this 'simple' story of two girls, almost university students, who have to navigate that difficult period of the last year before entering university and changing life forever.
The story is nice, with well developed characters (well, Jean and Rumi sometimes become a little cartoonish so the plot can develop (for example, Greene needs Grace to feel the need to find someone not from her everyday life and for that, Jean has to take a particular behavior that can feel a little bit forced)). However, to my surprise, those decisions never hinder the plot, they never make the reader dislike the characters or the story and they never stretch the suspension of disbelief to a breaking point. This shows the care that Greene has put into the story and into the characters.
On the down side, it can't be overlooked the fact that Grace is a little bit 'intense'. Her reaction to one very important plot development is way over-the-top. Yes, Greene needed an excuse to make her Canadian character behave in a particular way, but a better plot ruse should have been thought of. Or, if not, maybe make Kana and Grace closer friends: maybe they knew each other for a couple of years, when Kana started high school and saw how difficult it was going to be to have a good English level; or maybe, instead of Australia for a exchange program, she went to Canada, met Grace and Grace helped her and then, some months later they started to pen pal... There were, probably, better solutions.
The writing is very nice, with great rhythm, good descriptions, and for anyone who has been to Japan (Tokyo) it will be a cute nostalgia trip (I am more of a Kanto person, though). In particular if you were in Japan when the story is set: around 15 years ago (a Japan I remember quite well, actually, and it is very well depicted). The Japanese and the Canadian characters feel alive and also the world they live in, and that is not an easy job.
Loren Greene-san, this is a really good good story and one that has done a really great job of translating what it means to be a foreigner in Japan without falling into Orientalism or the tired 'they are weird!' messages. This is a cute, caring, and deep look into what it means to have a friend, grow up and trying to break free from the bonds that society, family or education put on us (a period all of us go through, with more or less intensity). I kind of want to do as Grace and write a message to Greene and offer her to become pen pals and write a story together. This feeling, that I had when I finished the story, tells me how much I cared for Grace and Kana, that I want to read more about them and also tells me that I am in front of a good, probably great, storyteller.
Great job!
The best: the characters
The worst: some silly decisions those same characters take
Further reading: "コーヒーが冷めないうちに" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a good option; Shigeko Yuki or Saneatsu Mushanokoji if you want to go old style; there are some manga set in high school (I kind of want to recommend "Again!!" by Mitsurou Kubo, a hilarious and totally worth reading manga).
8/10
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you booksirens and Loren Greene*
(English; original)